According to a declaration filed by Natalie Graham, in support of Ariel’s mother, Chrisoula Workman‘s attempt to re-gain custody of the actress after a judge gave temporary guardianship to the teenager’s sister, Shanelle Gray, “I was very much so surprised at the relationship between Ariel and Cameron Palatas. The fact that he was much older, Chris was assured it was platonic. His nature seemed too controlling at a fitting and at dinner. The home life that Chrisoula Workman and her husband, Ariel’s father provides is nurturing, non-abusive and normal.”

“Ariel Workman has been the victim of on-going physical abuse (slapping, hitting, pushing) and emotional abuse (vile name calling, personal insults about minor and minor’s weight, attempts to ‘sexualize’ minor, deprivation of food, etc) for an extended period of time by the minor’s mother, Chris Workman,” the custody documents state.

“There are absolutely no grounds to say that Ariel’s father, and my husband, Glenn is incapable of caring for our daughter,” she said. “There are no issues that would render him incapable of being Ariel’s father.

“As for why there are claims otherwise, well, all I can say is that Ariel is a rebellious 14-year-old teenager,” she said. “I love my daughter and want her back. I’m very concerned for her safety and well-being.”